Practice
Joe’s practice is focused primarily on business litigation, with an emphasis on dealership and franchise law and insurance-related matters. His experience includes:
- Handling disputes among business owners, including minority shareholder oppression claims and shareholder buy-outs.
- Assisting businesses and insurers with insurance coverage issues.
- Regularly handling matters arising under the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law (WFDL) and other similar trade regulation statutes, from drafting dealer agreements to advising both manufacturers and dealers on their rights under such laws.
- Representation of a large construction equipment manufacturer sued by shareholders of its Wisconsin dealer.
- Successful defense of a $90 million damage claim under the WFDL and federal and state antitrust laws.
- Obtaining judgment under the WFDL for an agricultural implement dealer invalidating a manufacturer’s decades-old practices regarding inventory repurchase.
- Successful prosecution of a minority shareholder’s oppression claim against one of Wisconsin’s largest hotel and motel chains.
- Successful defense in federal district courts and on appeal of insurer in disability, life and health claims under ERISA.
Joe is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin and Oregon (inactive). Click here for Joe’s lawyer rating.
Education
University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 1988; cum laude)
Harvard College (A.B., 1985)
Professional Recognition and Awards
Selected by peers as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer in business litigation (since 2005).
Publications
"The Right to Cure a Contract Breach," Wisconsin Lawyer (October 2010)
"Understanding the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law," Wisconsin Lawyer (November 2009)
"Determining ‘Community of Interest’ Under the WFDL," Wisconsin Lawyer (December 2004)
"Trade Regulation" chapter in the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Annual Survey of Wisconsin Law (1997-present)
Chapter 2, "Venue, Statutes of Limitations and Other Initial Considerations," in State Bar publication entitled Wisconsin Civil Procedure Before Trial (co-author)
Professional Memberships and Activities
State Bar of Wisconsin
Oregon State Bar (inactive)
American and Dane County Bar Associations
Wisconsin Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Member (2005-09; reappointed 2010- ; vice-chair, 2011-12 )
James E. Doyle Chapter of the American Inns of Court, Member
Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association, Board of Governors (1999-2002)
Member, Advisory Board, LEGUS (an international network of law firms, of which Stafford Rosenbaum is a founding member)
Joe is a native of Duluth, Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Law School, Joe practiced law in Portland, Oregon for five years before returning to Madison and Stafford, where he had been a law clerk during law school. In his free time, Joe enjoys hunting, golf, and reading history.
Favorite (recent) book: Lone Survivor, by Marcus Luttrell
Favorite getaway: Northern Wisconsin
Would like to visit: Ireland (again)
Favorite artist: Gaelic Storm
